Nagl, Bernstein, Akchote, Jones

Nagl, Bernstein, Akchote, Jones: Big Four Live

by Chris May
June 11, 2007

Playing music which references much of jazz history, from early New Orleans collective improvisation through contemporary conservatoire-informed styles, Big Four uses similar instrumentation to soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet's 1940 quartet with cornetist Muggsy Spanier, guitarist Carmen Mastren and bassist Wellman Braud. It's no accident--the concept was suggested to alto saxophonist Max Nagl by Hat Hut producer Werner X. Uehlinger.

And it proves to have been a eureka moment. Simultaneously cerebral and swinging, and never losing the sense of play which ...